plessner Loc: North Dakota

We reached the famed HaLong Bay, now claimed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World located in the gulf town of Tonkin.There are over 2000 limestone islands rising up out of the sea. We boarded our boat, again nice to have a small group of 13, as we had it all to ourselves. As we slowly left the dock we were served a delicious lunch so we could be done eating and ready with our cameras when we reached the main event! Everybody was right--it was amazing--to say the least!

the line up of boats that greeted us


this one was ours, complete with rest rooms and a full kitchen


as we set sail off in the distance we could see the islands. It was grey and gloomy looking out there. the guide said the skies are usually grey in the winter with the beautiful blues in the summer, but it kind of made it look like everything was just floating as the sky and the water were the same color


we slowly made out way along with all the other boats also out there, we all were trying different camera settings to try and get the best color with all the grey we were seeing


as the afternoon went on the greyness seemed to lift some and it was gorgeous






we stopped at some caves called the Thien Cung Grotto it was huge and beautifully lit with colored lights.The lights really made it pretty, but in pictures it was hard to tell what you were looking at I thought




I took some in black and white to see the formations better without all the colors


it was very crowded in the caves and they kept us moving along at a good pace to it was -take a quick photo-and keep moving


as we left the cave area we came upon another boat whose engine had quit. Our guide asked if we minded if we towed them to shore--said it might slow us down a bit-we didn't care here they are tying the two together


After we took off my cousin yelled out free beer for everybody! Our guide passed on the message and they delivered


as we got off the sun was setting after a wonderful day


we were taken to a beautiful hotel and served a wonderful dinner. I feel so fortunate to have seen this beautiful place. This was the view from my room

cmc65

Thank you for sharing this magnificent journey you are on. I'm sure everyone is enjoying each and every post.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I sure was hoping people would enjoy it--if anybody wants to make the same trip PM me and I can give them the name of the travel company. We really felt they did a great job and we got our moneys worth

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Thanks plessner for keeping up posted on your trip...enjoyed every minute! You are very good with your equipment, all of your photos have been superb and a delight to view! Thanks for sharing and keep taking exotic trips...we need winter entertainment! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

plessner Loc: North Dakota

thank you for the kind words
I am making up for lost time when we had milk cows for 25 years and never went anywhere! I am so lucky that at the end of this month I am going to Iceland with 6 other women three who are UHH members should be a fun trip as well as beautiful

durango Loc: Marietta, Ohio

I've really enjoyed seeing the wonderful places you visited on your trip. Beautiful sunset shot! Lou

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

Very informative and great pictures, thanks for posting. :thumbup:

bee7474 Loc: Selah, Wa

Great shots and a neat trip. Thanks for sharing.

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

really enjoying your posts! and we only have 2 weeks before Iceland!!! The temperature there has been much better than the temperature in NJ. LOL

shockwild Loc: S. California

Thanks for the tour, great set.